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Avalon Waterways Romantic Rhine – Southbound (WAZ)

8 days Amsterdam to Basel

One of Europe’s most legendary rivers awaits you on this exciting journey along the Rhine River, which takes you across Germany—and touches in Holland, France, and Switzerland!This magnificent river cruise begins in the ever popular, modern city of Amsterdam, Holland. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” You’ll also visit the dynamic city of Cologne, Germany—a 2,000 year-old city known for its gothic architecture and famous twin-spired cathedral, and the many shops, cafés, and taverns of popular Old Town. You’ll sail through the spectacular Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River—where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. Visit the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your Rhine River cruise to Mainz for a guided walk and visit to the captivating Gutenberg Museum. Join a guided excursion to Heidelberg to visit the ruins of its red-walled castle. In Strasbourg, France, you’ll be amazed by the red-sandstone gothic cathedral with ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Also, stroll through the lovely La Petite France district with its quaint shops, delightful bistros, and peaceful waterfront promenade.Before the end of your European river cruise vacation, stop in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest—an area of unrivaled natural beauty—best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock.

Special Interest Departures

11/24/2018 - Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine12/08/2018 - Festive Time on the Romantic Rhine07/23/2019 - Romantic Rhine & Jewish Heritage11/30/2019 - Festive Season on the Romantic Rhine12/07/2019 - Festive Season on the Romantic Rhine12/14/2019 - Festive Season on the Romantic Rhine

Related Avalon Tours

Itinerary (2019)

Day 1

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Amsterdam. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year.Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM (D)

Day 2

AMSTERDAM

Colorful Amsterdam—with Canals, Crooked Houses, and Cuisine of a Golden AgeCLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”Join a Guided Optional Culinary Walk through Amsterdam to sample savory and sweet Dutch specialties, or a Guided Optional Excursion to Muiderslot Castle—Holland’s most beautiful, best-kept medieval castle.You may choose to spend some free time this afternoon visiting one of Amsterdam’s many fascinating museums or galleries.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE(B,L,D)

Day 3

COLOGNE, GERMANY

Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland’s Capital CityCLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral, OR:DISCOVERY Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites.Don’t miss the chance to enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years!Later local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.OVERNIGHT SAILING TO KOBLENZ(B,L,D)

Day 4

KOBLENZ—RHINE GORGE

Travel Through 2,000 Years of Monumental HistoryCLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk amid ancient fortress walls, towers, squares, and monuments.Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors.RÜDESHEIMEat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine CountryDISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience.DISCOVERY Based on your departure date, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting.Enjoy live entertainment on board your ship this evening.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM(B,L,D)

Day 5

MAINZ. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

Printing Halls, Castle Walls, and the World’s Biggest Barrel of WineCLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Walk, including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel,” OR:ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an afternoon Hike up Philosophers’ Way for an inspiring view of the city below.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)

Day 6

STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Gothic Giants, Military Marvels, and Varietal VintagesCLASSIC Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.You may also choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the historic Maginot Line—an impressive installation of pre-WWII defensive fortifications designed to protect the eastern border of France, or visit Alsace’s wine country.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH(B,L,D)

Day 7

BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO THE BLACK FOREST

History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black ForestCLASSIC Visit the charming village of Colmar on a Guided Tour of its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, OR:DISCOVERY Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernhof open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional Bavarian butter-making demonstration.Follow your visit to Colmar with a free afternoon in Breisach. Take a bike from the ship, or walk among the pastel-painted houses above the Rhine.EVENING CRUISE TO BASEL(B,L,D)

Day 8

BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am.(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Gateway city for departures is Zürich, Switzerland.Port charges:$182Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included. Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.Extra nights per person in Amsterdam:in single room from $204 to $387, in twin room from $132 to $227Extra nights per person in Zurich:in single room $215, in twin room $146 All prices per person based on double occupancy. Cruise price based on Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck. See below for upgrade pricing.To upgrade to a higher category, add per person:Category / Decks / PriceD / Indigo Deck / $199 B / Sapphire Deck / $1149A / Sapphire Deck / $1199P / Royal Deck / $1299Royal Suite / Royal Deck / $2199NOTE:Special Interest Cruises: Festive November 30 & December 7 & December 14, Jewish Heritage July 23

Avalon Notes

In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.

Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.

Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.